Bamburgh Cricket Club 2021 fixtures unveiled

By Mike Latham

Bamburgh Castle CC

The publication of Bamburgh Cricket Club’s 2021 fixtures on the club’s website was welcome news for those anticipating the coming season.

Cricket at Bamburgh in the shadow of the famous castle is one of the highlights of the summer.

There’s a long tradition of cricket in this Northumberland coastal village and looking back through the pages of British Newspaper Archive the club had a long and varied fixture list from the late 1800s.

Cricket in Bamburgh was first recorded in 1860 and the club moved from the Glebe Field to the Castle Field around 1895.

Many of those opponents are sadly now defunct- teams like Belford, Spittal and Coldstream- but others remain, including Manderston, a country house ground near Duns which I aim to feature in a forthcoming article.

After some years in abeyance cricket on the green at Bamburgh was revived in 2004, the beautiful ground leased from the Armstrong family who own the Castle, in exchange for the club looking after the ground, maintaining the square and outfield to a high standard.

The personalised boundary flags

Even the boundary marker flags are personalised.

Billy Wright was heavily engaged in the revival and remains an inspiring secretary, working alongside a dedicated committee that are aware of the importance of ensuring a great and valued part of village life continues for the enjoyment of future generations.

The club has arranged an impressive 2021 fixture list which can be viewed here:

https://www.bamburghcricket.co.uk/Fixtures.htm

Home and away fixtures against Tillside and Manderston, an away game at the beautiful nearby ground of Rock, but otherwise the remaining games are all at home, mostly 2pm starts on a Sunday, 35 overs per side.

As well as local opposition several touring teams make up the opposition annually- with splendid names like the Borderers, the Old Record Players and Nairobi Nomads.

Don’t expect Test match quality play, in fact go with no expectations at all and prepare just to enjoy the surroundings and the play.

With this being friendly cricket, the make-up of the teams can represent age groups from the mid- teens to the late 70s. The standard can be variable but what is the common thread is that everyone is there for enjoyment.

In recent years Bamburgh have undergone something of a youth policy and have a core of young players, playing alongside older hands, who are learning the game and developing nicely.

Last year, albeit in a truncated season, the team went through the season undefeated and I had the pleasure of witnessing several games.

With Bamburgh being such a popular holiday destination- and holidays at home very much in vogue out of necessity this year- the club can look forward to some big crowds attending the games.

A classic scene

Some holiday makers stand and watch for just a few minutes, others are delighted to have stumbled on a game of cricket and stay all afternoon, revelling in the scene.

Others walk by with just a passing glance at the cricket in between the glorious beach, a trip around the castle or a wander around the village with its pubs, cafes and ice cream shops.

View from the sand dunes

There’s a particularly glorious view atop a sand dune at the sea end. No surprise that there on the bench, is a sign denoting it was voted in the top ten lunch spots a few years ago.

Parking in Bamburgh can be at a premium in the summer months but the cricket club is allowed access for cars and early comers can park near the pavilion and stay all day.

They say a photo can tell a thousand words, and on that basis, I’ve included a few of my images of Bamburgh. If you get the opportunity please take it, as it is a wonderful cricketing experience and a taste of real England, cricket on the village green, with the backdrop of the magnificent castle.

Croquet and cricket

You may even catch a croquet match going on as well on the boundary edge. The village croquet club often stages matches on Sunday afternoons.

The Bamburgh CC pavilion

And in normal times the pavilion serves tea, coffee and cake.

Membership of the club costs £25 per annum and match sponsorships are available.

If you’d like to arrange a fixture, become a member, offer to play or umpire- which a friend of mine does a few times a year to coincide with his holidays- or just come along to a game Billy and his committee will be pleased to hear from you. And you’ll receive the warmest of welcomes.

Scheduled 2021 home fixtures are as follows.

Please note these are subject to change. Please check before travelling:

Apr 25- Northern Diamonds; May 2- Nidderdale; May 9- Bomarsund WCC; May 16- Tillside; May 23- Wolsingham; May 30- Ponteland; Jun 13- Borderers, Jun 20- Old Record Players, Jun 27- St George’s Rovers; Jul 11- Bates Cottages; Jul 15 (6pm)- Percy Farmers, Jul 18- Knights; Aug 1- Stamfordham, Aug 8- KSTOB, Aug 12 (6pm)- Benwell Hill, Aug 15- Davipart, Aug 22- Manderston, Aug 29- Belsay; Sep 5- Nairobi Nomads, Sep 12- 40 Club XL, Sep 19- Bomarsund.

Away fixtures: Jun 6- Tillside; Jul 4- Rock; Jul 25- Manderston.

All matches start at 2pm on Sundays unless stated. Fixtures subject to change.